Final Mitsubishi Eclipse 2012

The last Mitsubishi Eclipse, a vehicle credited with pushing Mitsubishi into America's automotive conscience more than two decades ago, will cross the auction block on Saturday.

The final Eclipse, which was built in August, is being auctioned to benefit the earthquake and tsunami relief fund of Japan Red Cross. The car will go to the highest bidder at the Mecum Auctions annual St. Charles Auction in St. Charles, Illinois. The auction house has not said what it expects the car to fetch.

The Eclipse, along with the Mitsubishi Endeavor and Galant, was killed as part of the automaker's Jump 2013 plan that focuses on small, fuel-efficient vehicles in a major product shake-up. Production of the Eclipse ended rapidly. In January, Mitsubishi said it expected the three vehicles to be gone from U.S. showrooms by 2013.

Mitsubishi's product portfolio is being revamped to include up to six new electric, hybrid/electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles by 2015.

The 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse is the last one of its kind to roll off the assembly line at the company's factory in Normal, Illinois. The original Eclipse debuted in the 1990 model year, the first fruit of a joint venture formed in 1985 between Mitsubishi and Chrysler known as Diamond Star Motors.

The final Eclipse is powered by a 265-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine. Its unique Kalapana Black paint job was chosen by Mitsubishi followers on Facebook. Other details include leather interior trim, 18-inch Dark Argent alloy wheels, a Rockford-Fosgate premium audio system with nine speakers and SE exterior side graphics.